Image processing apparatus to print image data received by facsimile communication

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes a reception unit, a conversion unit, and a storage unit. The reception unit receives image data by facsimile communication. The conversion unit converts the image data received by the reception unit into image data having a print paper size of a fixed size. The storage unit stores, in a file, the image data converted by the conversion unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/142,861, which was filed on Apr. 29, 2016 and which claims priorityto Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-094885, which was filed on May7, 2015. Both of these applications are incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus forstoring image data received by facsimile communication, a method forcontrolling the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

When a conventional image processing apparatus stores in a file imagedata received by facsimile communication, the apparatus stores the imagewithout adjusting the image size.

In facsimile communication, the main scanning size of an image islimited to 215 mm, 255 mm, and 303 mm as prescribed by the InternationalTelecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)Recommendation T.4. Therefore, when the transmitting side transmits anA4-size document with a main scanning size of 210 mm and a sub scanningsize of 297 mm, an image with a main scanning size of 215 mm and a subscanning size of 297 mm will be transmitted on a facsimile communicationpath. On the receiving side, a file of an image with a main scanningsize of 215 mm and a sub scanning size of 297 mm will be generated andstored since the size conversion is not performed on the received image.

However, when a file generated in this way is to be printed, forexample, in a mode for selecting the most suitable recording paperaccording to the image size, a digital multifunction peripheral willdetermines the Legal paper with a main scanning size of 215 mm as themost suitable recording paper. Therefore, an image transmitted in A4size will be printed in the Legal size. If the Legal paper is not used,a user needs to reselect the recording paper to be used for printing.

Although Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-75059 discusses atechnique for printing a long image received by facsimile after sizereduction according to the resolution of a printer, the above-describedproblem cannot be solved by the technique.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image processingapparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive image data byfacsimile communication, a conversion unit configured to convert theimage data received by the reception unit into image data having a printpaper size of a fixed size, and a storage unit configured to store, in afile, the image data converted by the conversion unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a networksystem.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a digitalmultifunction peripheral.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of facsimilecommunication performed by the digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processingperformed when facsimile reception data is stored in a file.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image size adjustmentprocessing performed in step S4060.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a networksystem. Referring to FIG. 1, computers 101 and 102, which issue a printrequest to a printer 103 and a digital multifunction peripheral 105, areconnected to a network 100. The printer 103 that receives a printrequest from the computer 101 and the like, a facsimile machine 104capable of Internet-FAX (IFAX) reception, and the digital multifunctionperipheral 105 are further connected to the network 100. The digitalmultifunction peripheral 105 is connected with a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) line 106 as a telephone line. The digitalmultifunction peripheral 105 is an example of an image processingapparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the digitalmultifunction peripheral 105.

Under the control of a system control unit 208, a scanner unit 201 scansa document in a specified mode (for example, paper size, resolution, anddensity). A printer unit 202 includes a plurality of recording papertrays each being loaded with recording papers with a size correspondingto the relevant recording paper tray. Under the control of the systemcontrol unit 208, the printer unit 202 selects a recording paperaccording to the size of file data related to an image stored in a harddisk (HD) 211, and prints the image on the selected recording paper.Then, the printer unit 202 discharges the recording paper with the imageprinted thereon to a discharge tray via a discharge apparatus such as afinisher. Under control of the system control unit 208, an operationunit/display unit 203 displays a setting screen, and receives settinginformation via the setting screen in response to a user's settingoperation. Under the control of the system control unit 208, an imageprocessing unit 204 encodes image information to be transmitted intodata and compresses the data, and decodes received compressed data torestore original image information. Under the control of the systemcontrol unit 208, the image processing unit 204 further converts scannedimage data and image data received by facsimile communication into filesin the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), Tagged Image File Format(TIFF), and Portable Document Format (PDF) formats. Conversely, underthe control of the system control unit 208, the image processing unit204 also converts files in the JPEG, TIFF, and PDF formats into aprintable image format.

Under the control of the system control unit 208, a network control unit205 connects the digital multifunction peripheral 105 to a local areanetwork (LAN) to transmit and receive information to and from anapparatus in other network environment. A system memory 206 including arandom access memory (RAM) unit and a read only memory (ROM) unit storesinformation preregistered in the digital multifunction peripheral 105and information used by the system control unit 208 to performprocessing. A page memory 207 is a memory onto which image informationfor one page is loaded when the date is encoded or decoded. The systemcontrol unit 208 is a microcomputer for monitoring and controlling eachof the hardware components illustrated in FIG. 2. Under the control ofthe system control unit 208, an encryption unit 209 encrypts image datawhen the image data is accumulated in the HD 211. When image data isaccumulated without encrypting the image data, the image data is encodedby the image processing unit 204 and then stored in the HD 211 as it is.When image data is accumulated after encrypting the image data, theimage data is encoded, further encrypted by the encryption unit 209, andthen stored in the HD 211. A facsimile control unit 210 is connected toa facsimile line such as a PSTN line. The facsimile control unit 210communicates with other facsimile machines via the PSTN line, and iscapable of performing facsimile communication conforming to thecommunication protocol ITU-T Recommendations V.8, V.21, V.23, V.27ter,V.29, V.17, and V.34. The HD 211 including a nonvolatile memory storesreceived documents and scanned documents.

Functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 105 and processing offlowcharts (described below) are implemented by the system control unit208 performing processing based on a program stored in the system memory206 or the HD 211.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of facsimilecommunication performed by the digital multifunction peripheral 105.When a facsimile machine (transmitter) on the transmitting side makes acall to a facsimile machine (receiver) on the receiving side, thereceiver sends out a primary response signal to the transmitter. Afterreceiving the primary response signal, the transmitter transmits numberdisplay information (number display) 301 to the receiver by using a V.23modem signal. After receiving the V.23 modem signal, the receiver sendsout a reception completion signal to a network. Then, upon reception ofa Call Identification (CI) signal as a call signal from the network, thereceiver returns a secondary response signal to the network. Then, thereceiver sends out a Called Station Identification (CED) signal 302 as aconventional facsimile procedure signal. Subsequently, the receiversends out receiver capability information (Digital Identification Signal(DIS)), receiver's registered telephone number information (CalledSubscriber Identification (CSI)), and, as an option, a Non-StandardFacilities (NSF) signal 303. Upon reception of the DIS, CSI, and NSFsignals from the receiver, the transmitter sends out transmissioninstruction information (Digital Command Signal (DCS)), transmitter'sregistered telephone number information (Transmitting SubscriberIdentification (TSI)), and, as an option, a Non-Standard facilitiesSetup (NSS) signal 304. Subsequently, the transmitter sends out aTraining ConFirmation (TCF) signal 305 as a dummy image signal. Afterreceiving the TCF signal 305, when the receiver determines that thisdummy image signal can be received, the receiver sends out aConFirmation to Receive (CFR) signal 306 as an acknowledge (ACK). Uponreception of the CFR signal, the transmitter sends out image data PIX307. The transmitter further sends out Partial Page Signals (PPS)-Q 308which indicate the end of a page. The PPS-Q signals 308 includePPS-MultiPage Signal (MPS), PPS-End Of Procedures (EOP), and PPS-End OfMessage (EOM). Upon reception of the PPS-Q signals 308, when thereceiver determines that the received image data is normal, the receiversends out a Message ConFirmation (MCF) signal 309. Upon reception of theMCF signal, when the transmitter determines that transmission of all ofthe image data is completed, the transmitter sends out a DisCoNnection(DCN) signal 310 to terminate the facsimile communication sequence. Uponreception of the DCS signal, the receiver similarly terminates thefacsimile communication sequence.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processingperformed when facsimile reception data is stored in a file.

When image data received by facsimile communication is to be stored in afile, the processing illustrated in FIG. 4 is started.

In step S4010, the system control unit 208 acquires image data receivedby facsimile communication, and acquires the sizes (i.e. main scanningsize and sub scanning size) of the image data.

In step S4020, the system control unit 208 determines the main scanningsize of the image data and causes the processing to proceed to differentsteps according to the determined main scanning size. When the mainscanning size is 215 mm (215 mm (A4/LTR/LGL) in step S4020), the systemcontrol unit 208 causes the processing to proceed to step S4030. Whenthe main scanning size is 255 mm (255 mm (B4) in step S4020), the systemcontrol unit 208 causes the processing to proceed to step S4040. Whenthe main scanning size is 303 mm (303 mm (A3/LGR) in step S4020), thesystem control unit 208 causes the processing to proceed to step S4050.

In step S4030, referring to Table 1, the system control unit 208determines which paper size has a sub scanning size which the subscanning size of the image data is greater than or equal thereto. Whenthe sub scanning size of the image data is smaller than 279.4 mm, thesystem control unit 208 does not determine the paper size.

For example, when the sub scanning size of the image data is 297 mm, thesystem control unit 208 determines the A4 size. When the sub scanningsize of the image data is 280 mm, the system control unit 208 determinesthe letter (LTR) size.

TABLE 1 Main scanning A4 (215 mm) LTR A4 LGL 279.4 297 355.6

In step S4040, referring to Table 2, the system control unit 208determines which paper size has a sub scanning size which the subscanning size of the image data is greater than or equal thereto. Whenthe sub scanning size of the image data is smaller than 364 mm, thesystem control unit 208 does not determine the paper size.

For example, when the sub scanning size of the image data is greaterthan or equal to 364 mm, the system control unit 208 determines the B4size.

TABLE 2 Main scanning B4 (255 mm) B4 364

In step S4050, referring to Table 3, the system control unit 208determines which paper size has a sub scanning size which the subscanning size of the image data is greater than or equal thereto. Whenthe sub scanning size of the image data is smaller than 420 mm, thesystem control unit 208 does not determine the paper size.

For example, when the sub scanning size of the image data is 420 mm, thesystem control unit 208 determines the A3 size. When the sub scanningsize of the image data is 432 mm or larger, the system control unit 208determines the 11×17 size.

TABLE 3 Main scanning A3 (303 mm) A3 11 × 17 420 432

In step S4060, the system control unit 208 performs image sizeadjustment processing. This processing will be separately describedbelow with reference to FIG. 5.

In step S4070, the system control unit 208 refers to setting informationof a storage file format stored in a static RAM (SRAM) area provided inthe system memory 206. The setting information of the storage fileformat can be set by an operator via the operation unit/display unit203. Selectable setting values include “JPEG”, “TIFF”, “PDF”, etc. Morespecifically, the system control unit 208 is capable of setting orchanging the setting information of the storage file format stored inthe SRAM area in response to the operator's setting operation via theoperation unit/display unit 203.

In step S4080, according to the setting information of the storage fileformat acquired in step S4070, the system control unit 208 controls theimage processing unit 204 to perform conversion processing forconverting the image that has undergone the size adjustment processingin step S4060 into a file.

In step S4090, the system control unit 208 stores the data of the filegenerated in step S4080 in the HD 211.

In step S4100, the system control unit 208 determines whether the pagethat has been processed is the last page. When the page is the last page(YES in step S4100), the system control unit 208 causes the processingto proceed to step S4110. On the other hand, when the page is not thelast page (NO in step S4100), the system control unit 208 causes theprocessing to return to step S4010.

In step S4110, the system control unit 208 performs file terminationprocessing. For example, in the case of a PDF format file, the systemcontrol unit 208 performs the file termination processing by storingfile trailer information at the end of the file.

Then, the processing for storing facsimile reception data in a file isended.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the image sizeadjustment processing performed in step S4060.

In step S5010, the system control unit 208 stores the size determined bythe processing in the previous step (one of steps S4030, S4040, andS4050) as a variable.

In step S5020, the system control unit 208 refers to setting informationof file-storage-time size adjustment processing stored in the SRAM areaprovided in the system memory 206. The setting information of thefile-storage-time size adjustment processing can be set by the operatorvia the operation unit/display unit 203. Selectable setting valuesinclude “Trimming”, “Reduction”, and “No adjustment”. More specifically,the system control unit 208 is capable of setting or changing thesetting value of the file-storage-time size adjustment processingsetting information stored in the SRAM area in response to an operator'ssetting operation via the operation unit/display unit 203. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the setting values such as “Trimming”,“Reduction”, etc. are preset as a default value according to thecustomer or sales area of the digital multifunction peripheral 105 atthe time of shipment of the digital multifunction peripheral 105.

In step S5020, the system control unit 208 determines the setting valueof the file-storage-time size adjustment processing and causes theprocessing to proceed to different steps according to the determinedsetting value of the file-storage-time size adjustment processing. Whenthe setting value is “Trimming” (TRIMMING in step S5020), the systemcontrol unit 208 causes the processing to proceed to step S5030. Whenthe setting value is “Reduction” (REDUCTION in step S5020), the systemcontrol unit 208 causes the processing to proceed to step S5050. Whenthe setting value is “No Adjustment” (NO ADJUSTMENT in step S5020), thesystem control unit 208 ends the processing of the flowchart illustratedin FIG. 5.

In step S5030, the system control unit 208 refers to trimming limitsetting information stored in the SRAM area provided in the systemmemory 206. The trimming limit setting information can be set by theoperator via the operation unit/display unit 203. Selectable settingvalues include an integral value from “70” to “99” percents. Morespecifically, the system control unit 208 is capable of setting orchanging the setting value of the trimming limit setting informationstored in the SRAM area in response to an operator's setting operationvia the operation unit/display unit 203.

Then, the system control unit 208 calculates the ratio in percentage ofthe size after trimming to the original image size in a case where theimage is trimmed from the sub scanning size of the image into atemporary sub scanning size. When the calculated value is equal to orgreater than the setting value of the trimming limit setting (NO in stepS5030), the system control unit 208 causes the processing to proceed tostep S5040. On the other hand, when the calculated value is smaller thanthe setting value of the trimming limit setting (YES in step S5030), thesystem control unit 208 causes the processing to proceed to step S5070.

In step S5040, the system control unit 208 performs trimming, i.e.,processing for cutting out a part of the image data to adjust the imagesize to the temporary size. Further, when the size after trimming is theA4 size, the system control unit 208 performs trimming so that the sizeof the image data not only in the sub scanning direction but also in themain scanning direction becomes the A4 size.

In step S5050, the system control unit 208 refers to reduction limitsetting information stored in the SRAM area provided in the systemmemory 206. The reduction limit setting information can be set by theoperator via the operation unit/display unit 203. Selectable settingvalues include an integral value from “70” to “99” percents. Morespecifically, the system control unit 208 is capable of setting orchanging the setting value of the reduction limit setting informationstored in the SRAM area in response to an operator's setting operationvia the operation unit/display unit 203.

Then, the system control unit 208 calculates the ratio in percentage ofthe size after reduction to the original image size in a case where theimage is reduced from the sub scanning size of the image into atemporary sub scanning size. When the calculated value is equal to orgreater than the setting value of the reduction limit setting (NO instep S5050), the system control unit 208 causes the processing toproceed to step S5060. On the other hand, when the calculated value issmaller than the setting value of the reduction limit setting (YES instep S5050), the system control unit 208 causes the processing toproceed to step S5070.

In step S5060, the system control unit 208 performs reduction processingto adjust the image size to the temporary size.

In step S5070, the system control unit 208 refers tofile-generation-time division setting information stored in the SRAMarea provided in the system memory 206. The file-generation-timedivision setting information can be set by the operator via theoperation unit/display unit 203. Selectable setting values include“Perform Division” and “Do Not Perform Division”. More specifically, thesystem control unit 208 is capable of setting or changing the settingvalue of the file-generation-time division setting information stored inthe SRAM area in response to an operator's setting operation via theoperation unit/display unit 203. When the setting value is “PerformDivision” (YES in step S5070), the system control unit 208 causes theprocessing to proceed to step S5080. On the other hand, when the settingvalue is “Do Not Perform Division” (NO in step S5070), the systemcontrol unit 208 ends the processing of the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 5.

In step S5080, the system control unit 208 refers tofile-generation-time division size setting information stored in theSRAM area provided in the system memory 206. The file-generation-timedivision size setting information can be set by the operator via theoperation unit/display unit 203. Selectable setting values include “A4”,“LTR”, and “Legal (LGL)”. More specifically, the system control unit 208is capable of setting or changing the setting value of thefile-generation-time division size setting information stored in theSRAM area in response to an operator's setting operation via theoperation unit/display unit 203. According to the setting value of thefile-generation-time division size setting information, the systemcontrol unit 208 divides the image at intervals of the set sub scanningsize.

Then, the system control unit 208 ends the processing of the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 5.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, it ispossible to store image data received by facsimile communication in afile after reduction or trimming thereof according to a recording papersize. Therefore, when printing a stored file in a mode for selectingrecording paper most suitable for the image size, the file can beprinted on recording paper with the same size as the document at thetransmission source.

Therefore, it is possible to print the image data received by facsimilecommunication using recording paper with the most suitable size even ifthe user does not reselect recording paper.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: anetwork controller connecting a network; a facsimile controllerconnecting a facsimile communication line different from the network; astorage; a memory storing instructions; and a processor configured toexecute the instructions to cause the information processing apparatusto: receive, using the facsimile controller, image data from thefacsimile communication, wherein the received image data has a mainscanning size prescribed by a recommendation as a standard for thefacsimile communication, acquire the main scanning size and a subscanning size of the received image data, determine, according to theacquired main scanning size, a first size as a target size of a mainscanning direction from a plurality of candidates, wherein eachcandidate indicates a size corresponding to a different print paperindependent of the recommendation, determine, according to the acquiredsub scanning size, a second size as a target size of a sub scanningdirection from a plurality of candidates corresponding to the determinedfirst size, perform adjustment processing for the received image dataaccording to the determined first size and the determined second size,generate a file using an image data that has a converted main scanningsize and a converted sub scanning size, converted by the adjustmentprocessing, and store the generated file in the storage.
 2. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the adjustmentprocessing, trimming process, or reduction process is performed to thereceived image data according to the determined first size and thedetermined second size.
 3. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the plurality of candidates used for the determinationfor the main scanning direction include 215 millimeters (mm), 255 mm and303 mm.
 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe recommendation as the standard for the facsimile communication isthe International Telecommunication Union TelecommunicationStandardization Sector (ITU-T) Recommendation.
 5. A method forcontrolling an image processing apparatus having a network controllerconnecting a network, a facsimile controller connecting a facsimilecommunication line different from the network, and a storage, the methodcomprising: receiving, using the facsimile controller, image data fromthe facsimile communication, wherein the received image data has a mainscanning size prescribed by a recommendation as a standard for thefacsimile communication; acquiring the main scanning size and a subscanning size of the received image data; determining, according to theacquired main scanning size, a first size as a target size of a mainscanning direction from a plurality of candidates, wherein eachcandidate indicates a size corresponding to a different print paperindependent of the recommendation; determining, according to theacquired sub scanning size, a second size as a target size of a subscanning direction from a plurality of candidates corresponding to thedetermined first size; performing adjustment processing for the receivedimage data according to the determined first size and the determinedsecond size; generating a file using an image data that has a convertedmain scanning size and a converted sub scanning size, converted by theadjustment processing; and storing the generated file in the storage. 6.The method according to claim 5, wherein the recommendation as thestandard for the facsimile communication is the InternationalTelecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)Recommendation.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring a program to cause a computer to perform a method forcontrolling an image processing apparatus having a network controllerconnecting a network, a facsimile controller connecting a facsimilecommunication line different from the network, and a storage, the methodcomprising: receiving, using the facsimile controller, image data fromthe facsimile communication, wherein the received image data has a mainscanning size prescribed by a recommendation as a standard for thefacsimile communication; acquiring the main scanning size and a subscanning size of the received image data; determining, according to theacquired main scanning size, a first size as a target size of a mainscanning direction from a plurality of candidates, wherein eachcandidate indicates a size corresponding to a different print paperindependent of the recommendation; determining, according to theacquired sub scanning size, a second size as a target size of a subscanning direction from a plurality of candidates corresponding to thedetermined first size; performing adjustment processing for the receivedimage data according to the determined first size and the determinedsecond size; generating a file using an image data that has a convertedmain scanning size and a converted sub scanning size, converted by theadjustment processing; and storing the generated file in the storage. 8.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim7, wherein the recommendation as the standard for the facsimilecommunication is the International Telecommunication UnionTelecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Recommendation.